FIFA gets tough on recalcitrant teams

Clubs from Russia and Qatar, World Cup hosts past and future, are among six fined by FIFA and warned they risk one-year transfer bans for failing to settle debts to players.

FIFA says the clubs also face deductions of six league points if they fail to pay the debts in 30 to 90 days.

The clubs are Kuban of Russia; Al Arabi and Al Kharaitiyat of Qatar; Zamalek of Egypt; Al Jazira of the United Arab Emirates; and Mersin Idman Yurdu of Turkey.

FIFA says all failed to comply with rulings by FIFA or the Court of Arbitration for Sport “to pay significant overdue amounts of money to players.”

They were fined between 15,000 and 30,000 Swiss francs ($15,000 and $30,000).

“Should a member association fail to automatically implement said sanctions at national level and provide the secretariat to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee with proof of the implementation of the point deduction and/or transfer ban, disciplinary proceedings – which may lead to an expulsion from all FIFA competitions – may be opened against the association concerned,” FIFA warned.

In addition, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has fined the Egyptian Football Association CHF 50,000 for breaking strict pre-World Cup rules about friendlies.

Countries participating in the World Cup were prohibited from playing friendly or preparation matches between May 21-27, “in order to protect players before the final competition in Russia”

“Despite this, the Egyptian national team played an international friendly match against the national team of Kuwait on 25 May,” FIFA said.